East Coast Winter Reds with Liquid Fire

Bull Red on a Boss

Winter Reds

Redfish galore!! This is a great time of year on the coast of North Carolina. As the pelagic species push further offshore or migrate south, this staple in our fishery stays near our beaches so near-shore fishermen are able to feed their appetite during the winter months.

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Large schools of slot (18”-27”) or bull redfish roam our beaches from one to 40 feet of water, looking for nourishment in the forms of large schools of menhaden to random crabs, anchovies and mullet.

It’s hard to find a more exciting, plentiful and powerful species that can help scratch the itch of tugging on a challenging adversary during the chilly winter months. The redfish, regardless of size, has always been one of my most favorite fish to battle. The fight from strike to rod-tip is unmatched by most species. They just don’t know when to quit.

There’s nothing more exciting than cruising the beach, just behind the sets of small breakers rolling onto shore, looking for a hint of a dark red swath in the backs of one of the ocean swells. The thrill of finally finding “the school” is exhilarating! Then, the action starts…

This is the time my sons and I enjoy rigging our SR-6s and 7’ 6” medium-heavy, spinning rods with some 20-pound braid, or six-pound mono (your choice), an 18”, 15-20-pound fluorocarbon leader, three-inch rubber, paddle tail and positioning the lure just past the school. Pulling through the school with a very slow retrieve will soon require us to set the hook and hang on!!

The cool thing about our North Carolina fishery is that as long as the winds don’t keep us off the water, there is always excitement awaiting us just beyond the inlets!!
Please take some time to enjoy a couple of these days with us that we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing at the following links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEGjNjcUm0U – This is just flat out amazing!

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Ben Secrest is a California native and learned to fish from his father at an early age. He spent his youth fishing freshwater every weekend and graduated into saltwater fishing as a teenager. Working in the fishing industry for over 30 years has given him the opportunity to fish globally throughout his career. Fishing is not only his passion but runs through his veins. No mater where and when if its biting he will be there. He has passed on his passion to his children and enjoys educating the public on fishing any way he can. The saying "Life through fishing, Fishing through life" reflects his mission in life. He has worked at AFTCO, Shimano, and the last 13 years at Accurate as the Marketing Manager. You can talk to Ben online through the Tawk app or e-mail him at info#accuratefishing.com